Bust support



Sept. 8, 1970 F 5, CATANESE ETAL 3,527,231

BUST SUPPORT Filed Jan. 29, 1968 5 Sheets-Sheet l WYE/woes JQQfr/wg 5l QrH/YESE @sana/H ,Z Cama/ESE,

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Sept. 8, 1970 F. s. cATANEsE ET AL 3,527,231

BUST SUPPORT Filed Jan. 29, 1968 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 ,1l/7,9m@ 5. 6am/V535, @ga/Q60? L7. EMA/Ese;

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Sept. 8, 1970 F. s. cA'rANEsE ETAL 3,527,231

BUST SUPPORT Filed Jan. 29, 1968 v 5 Sheets-Sheet I5 @M5/? 7. 6mm/Ese,

United States Patent O 3,527,231 BUST SUPPORT Frank S. Catanese and Georgia E. Catanese, both of 8662 Royer Circle, Huntington Beach, Calif. 92647 lFiled Jan. 29, 1968, Ser. No. 701,333 Int. Cl. A41c 3/00 U.S. Cl. 12S-484 4 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A bust support comprising a breast support lband designed to support and thrust outward breasts of varying sizes which is joined to a chestband designed to prevent the bottom edge of said chestband from rolling under itself and chafiing the wearer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the invention This invention relates to bust support devices.

Description of the prior art In the prior art there has been a lack of appreciation of a method to provide suicient support for large breasts. In U.S. Pat. No. 3,033,026 to Ramsell issued May 8, 1962, only one strip is used to support the breasts regardless of the breast size. Also the cantilever elfect necessary to support and thrust outward the breast is not adequate as the shelf area tends to fold and break down, thus failing to provide good breast support. In addition, the chestband part of the prior art, U.S. Pat. No. 3,164,- 155 to Simonsen issued Jan. 5, 1965, and U.S. Pat. No. 3,033,026 to Ramsell issued May 8, 1962, has a tendency to roll under itself causing chatting and extreme discomfort to the wearer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention is a bust support consisting of a breast support band having a breast support part and a chest band part. The previous deficiencies of the breast support part of the breast support band are remedied. The size and construction of the breast support part can be varied to accommodate a variety of breast sizes. To enhance support, the breast support part can be made in a plurality of sections rather than in a continuous band. Equally as significant is the special manner by which the breast support part and the chestband part are joined together to insure a stili shelf upon which the breasts may rest. The lower edge of the breast support part below each breast is convex; the upper edge of the chestband part is concave. The` joinder of the convex-concave edges produces the stiff ledge which acts as a cantilever to rigidly support the projecting breast support part. Two breast support straps are added to assist in the breast support and outward thrust functions of the breast support part. The straps are attached to the top of the breast support part between the breasts and are joined to a maximum point on the breast support band beneath each armpit. These straps help to accentuate the shape of the breast and connected to a pair of shoulder straps at a point above each breast serve as breast support members as well.

The chestband is designed to remedy the previous defects which caused chatting. The lower edge of the chestband is concave reaching a minimum point forward of the armpit. When the breast support band and the chestband are joined together the maximum width of the bust supporter occurs at this minimum point. The downward angular shape at the minimum point of the chestband prevents the band fromv rolling under itself when the wearer moves. A pair of cups may be attached to an ernrice bodiment which may be sewed to the lower edge of the chestband. The cups serve as receivers only and in no way assist in supporting the breasts.

The bust support, however, is not limited to use with a pair of cups; it can be worn in combination with any 'breast covering apparel such as a 'bathing suit, shift, or evening gown. -It is especially suitable for women during and after pregnancy.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bust supporter embodying the present invention as it presently appears when properly applied to the wearer;

FIG. Z is a plan view of the breast support band and chestband;

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of a breast support part and chestband as it presently appears when properly applied to the wearer;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a breast support band and chestband for large breasts, a component breakdown of one symmetrical half of a typical but not exclusive bust support showing the breast support part, lateral support panel and chestband part;

FIO. 5 discloses a bust support sewn inside a breast covering;

FIG. 6 is a plan View of an eight piece bust support; and

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a bust support adaptable for a person having large breasts.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the dra ings, the bust support is comprised of a breast sup port band 10 (which includes a breast support part 11 and a pair of side panels 60), a chestband part 20, two breast support straps 30, 31, two shoulder straps 32, 33 and an elastic securing part 40. The breast support part 11 has two equal halves which are joined at the sternalis 50. Focusing attention on only the right half: the upper edge 12 of the breast support part 11 extends in a concave arc from the upper edge of the sternalis 52 under the breast to a maximum point 13 below each armpit where it intersects the upper concave edge 61 of the side panel 60 extending from the maximum point 13 to the outer end 43 at the back of the wearer. The convex lower edge 14 of the breast support part 11 extends from the sternalis 50 to the maximum point 13 at the upper edge of the breast support band 10. The lower edge 14 of the breast support part 11 is joined to the chestband 20 from the sternalis 50 extending to its nadir 21 at a point below the mammilla. From the nadir 21 and extending to the maximum point 13, the convex lower edge 14 of the breast support part 11 is joined to the side panel 60. The mating of the curved edges of the breast support band 10 and the chestband part 20 provides in part the cantilever effect for each breast support part 11. The joinder of breast support part 11 and side panel 60 also controls the cantilever effect. Thus, the breast is supported and thrust outward away from the chest. Assisting the cantilever effect produced by the joinder of the curved edges are two breast support straps 30, 31. Each strap extends from the upper edge 12 of the breast support band 10 at the upper edge of the sternalis 52 and terminates at the maximum point 13 where the concave upper edge 12 of the breast support part 11 and the concave upper edge 61 of the side panel `60 intersect. By adjusting each breast support strap 30, 31 the breast can be shaped and accentuated. When the adjustable shoulder straps 32, 33 extending frorn the upper edge 62 of side panel extension 60 in the rear of the wearer are joined by a sliding loop 3 35 to the breast support straps at a point above each breast, additional breast support is achieved.

The chestband part 20 has two substantially identical halves joined at the sternalis 50. The chestband 20 serves two functions: to form a solid base from which to support the breast support part 11 and by its geometric configuration to prevent the lower edge 23, 25 of the chestband 20 from rolling under itself. The first concave lower edge 23 extending from the sternalis 50 to a minimum point 24 forward of the armpit intersects a second concave lower edge 25 extending from the minimum point 24 to the outer end of the chestband 29. The chestband 20` and the side panel 60 are joined from the nadir 21 to the outer end 29 of the chestband 11 where chestband 20 and side panel 60 are joined to an elastic band 40 on which is mounted hook and eye fasteners so that the bust support can be secured to its opposite half at the back of the wearer.

Two variations of the breast support part 11 are described in FIGS. 6 and 7. In FIG. 6 two triangular ledges 70, 71 are joined together to form a larger support cup for large breasts. The inner breast support ledge 70 has three curved edges. The upper edge 72 and the lower edge 73 intersect to form an apex 79 at the sternalis 52. The lower edge 73 is joined to the upper` edge 27 of the chestband .part 20 from the apex 79 to a predetermined point 75 beneath the breast. The edge 74 opposite the apex 79 is joined at a common edge to the outer triangle ledge 71 having its apex 76 at the maximum point 13 on the breast support part 11. The lower edge 77 of the outer support ledge 71 is joined to the side panel 60. The upper edge 78 of the outer support ledge 71 meets the upper edge 72 of the inner support ledge 70 to form a continuous convex edge extending from the upper edge of the sternalis 52 to the maximum point 13.

A pair of lateral support panels 60 extending from the breast support part 11 to the back of the wearer 43 are joined to the outer support ledge 71, the upper edge 27 of the chestband part 20, and the elastic piece 40.

In FIG. a variation of the basic embodiment is shown whereby support and outward thrust is provided for small breasts. The breast support part 11 is not sectioned nor is there a separate side panel section. The breast support band having two substantially identical halves is a continuous band extending from the ster-nalis 50 outward in two directions to the back of the wearer 43. Again focusing on only the right half, the first concave upper edge 18 extends from the upper edge of the sternalis 52 to intersect a second concave upper edge 19 at the maximum point 13. The second concave upper edge extends 19 from the maximum point 13 to the back of the wearer 43. A convex lower edge 17 of the breast support part 11 extends from the upper edge of the sternalis 52 to a point above the minimum point 24 of the chestband 20 where it intersects a concave lower edge 16 on the breast support band 10 extending to the back of the wearer 43.

The curved lower edges 16 and 17 of the breast support band 10 are joined to the curved upper edge 27 of the chestband 20. The joinder of the two curved edges causes the breast support part to be thrust away from the chest where is forms a shelf upon which the breast may rest. Again the double concave lower edges 23, 25 of the chestband intersect at the minimum point 24 to form an angular downward projection which prevents the lower chestband edge from rolling under itself.

In FIG. 5 a typical breast covering 80 is joined to the outward end of the lower edge 25 of the chestband 20, the sternalis 50 and the maximum point 13 on the breast support band 10.

FIG. 7 discloses an alternate embodiment illustrative of the present invention whereby the chestband part is comprised of an elastic section 81 to provide greater exure for a wearer having large breasts, The elastic section 81 is comprised of two substantially equal halves joined at the sternalis 50. The outer ends of the elastic section 82 are joined to the chestband 20 part way around the wearer 83.

It is now apparent that the bust support is adaptable to suit the individual needs of a variety of wearers. For example, in large busted wearers, greater ledge support is provided by the joinder of the breast support 11 to the chestband 20 and to the side panels 60. In addition, the particular shape of the edge 14 of the breast support part 11 vcontrols the cantilever necessary to project the breast away from the chest. In addition, the particular configuration of the chestband 20 where a downward projection 24 of the chestband 20 provides a comfortable and stable band eliminating chatting. The bust support may be worn with or without the breast support straps 30 and 31, or the shoulder straps 32 and 33. The bust support without straps 30, 31, 32 and 33 is particularly suitable for wear inside a strapless dress, bathing suit, or halter.

Although this invention has been disclosed and illustrated with reference to particular applications, the principles involved are susceptible of numerous other applications which will be apparent to persons skilled in the art. The invention is, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A bust support comprising a sternalis for disposition between the breasts and two substantially identical halves disposed on opposite sides of said sternalis, each half comprising:

(a) an elongated breast support band for supporting a breast, for disposition from said sternalis to the back of a wearer, the inner end of said support band being connected to said sternalis, said breast support band having a first concave upper edge, said first edge adaptable for extending from said sternalis to a point under the armpit of a wearer; a second concave upper edge extending from said point to the outer end of said support band, and a convex lower edge;

(b) a breast strap for encircling a breast joined at one end to said sternalis and at the other end to said second upper edge of said breast support band;

(c) a shoulder strap, lfor disposition across the shoulder, joined at one end to said second upper edge of said breast support band and at the other end coupled to said breast strap;

(d) a chestband connected at one end to said sternalis and extending along said breast support band, said chestband having a concave upper edge matched and joined to said lower edge of said breast support band, said chestband having a first concave lower edge adaptable for extending from the sternalis to a point forward of the armpit of a wearer and a second concave lower edge extending from said point on said first lower edge to the other end of said chestband; and

(e) fastening means joined to the other end of said breast support band and said chestband.

2. A bust support comprising a sternalis for disposition between the breasts and two substantially identical halves disposed on opposite sides of said sternalis, each half comprising:

(a) a breast support part for disposition beneath the breast adaptable for extending to a point beneath the armpit of the wearer, said breast support part joined at one end to said sternalis, and having an upper concave edge extending from said sternalis to the end of said part and a convex lower edge extending from said sternalis to the other end of said part, said lower edge intersecting said upper edge at said other end of said part;

(b) a side panel having a concave upper edge, a lower edge and a concave end joined to the end of said lower edge of said breast support part, said panel being adaptable for disposition to the back of a wearer;

(c) an elongated chestband connected to said sternalis at one end and extending to the other end of said side panel, said chestband part having a concave upper edge joined to said lower edge of said breast support band and to said lower edge of said panel, said chestband part having a rst concave lower edge adaptable for extending from said sternalis to a point forward of the armpit of a wearer and a second concave lower edge extending from said point on said lirst lower edge to the other end of said chestband; and

(d) fastening means joined to the other end of said side panel and the other end of said chestband.

3. A bust support comprising a sternalis for disposition between the breasts and two substantially identical halves disposed on opposite sides of said sternalis, each half comprising:

(a) a chestband joined at one end to said sternalis and adaptable for extending to the back of a wearer, said chestband having a irst concave lower edge adaptable for extending from said sternalis to a point forward of an armpit of a wearer and a second concave lower edge extending from said point to the other end of said chestband;

(b) a breast support part, said breast support part comprising an inner and an outer triangular ledge, said triangular ledges joined at a common base and having a curved upper edge adaptable for encompassing the lower part of a breast, said inner breast support ledge having its apex joined to said sternalis, said inner ledge having a curved lower edge joined to the upper edge of said chestband, said outer ledge having a curved lower edge, the inner portion of which is joined to the upper edge of said chestband;

(c) a side support panel extending from the breast support part to the other end of said chestband, one edge of said side support panel joined to the outer portion of said lower edge of said outer breast support ledge, and with the lower edge of said panel joined to the upper edge of said chestband; and

(d) fastening means connected to the other end of said 6 side support panel and said other end of said chestband.

`4. A bust support comprising a sternalis for disposition between the breasts and two substantially identical halves disposed on opposite sides of said sternalis, each half comprising:

(a) a chestband joined at one end to said sternalis and adaptable for extending to the back of a wearer, said chestband having a first concave lower edge adaptable for extending from said sternalis to a point forward of an armpit of a wearer and a second concave lower edge extending from said point to the other end of said chestband;

(b) a breast support part, said breast support part comprising an inner bust supporting ledge and an outer bust supporting ledge, said inner and outer ledges each having four edges, with the inner edge of said inner ledge connected to said sternalis, said inner and outer ledges joined at a common edge, the upper edges of said inner and outer ledges defining a continuous convex edge adaptable for engaging the lower part of a breast and the lower edge of said outer ledge joined to said upper edge of said chestband;

(c) a narrow side panel, joined at one end to the outer edge of said outer bust supporting ledge and extending to the other end of said chestband, said side panel having an upper concave edge, said side panel having a convex lower edge joined to the upper edge of said chestband; and

(d) fastening means connected to the other end of said side panel and the other end of said chestband.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,164,155 1/1965 Simonsen 12S-486 3,419,895 12/1968 Stephensen 12S- 484 3,439,682 4/1969 Defm 12S-460 ADELE M. EAGER, Primary Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 12S-494, 510 

